Support of Plural Chip Rates in CDMA System

ABSTRACT

In a CDMA system ( 100 ), two chip rates in a TDD cell are supported by: transmitting signals in the system in a frame ( 400 ) having a plurality of timeslots; operating at least a first one (0-8) of the plurality of timeslots in the frame at a lower chip rate; and operating at least a second one (9-14) of the plurality of timeslots in the frame at a higher chip rate. This provides the following advantages: provides backwards compatibility of a network including higher chip rate functionality with existing lower chip rate user equipment; allows greater network capacity during the transition phase from a low chip rate network to a high chip rate network; and allows a network operator with a high chip rate network to provide service to roaming users from low chip rate networks.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/537,195, filed on Jun. 2, 2005, whichapplication claims the benefit of and is a 371 filing of PCT PatentApplication No. PCT/GB03/05361, Filed Dec. 9, 2003, which applicationclaims the benefit of United Kingdom Application No. GB 0228613.6 filedDec. 9, 2002. The content of these documents is fully incorporatedherein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to code division multiple access (CDMA) systems,and particularly (though not exclusively) to wireless CDMA systemsoperating in time division duplex (TDD) mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of this invention it is known that there are currently codedivision multiple access communications (CDMA) systems that operate at asingle chip rate. As demand grows for bandwidth intensive applications,telecommunications will have to be carried at ever higher chip rates. Itmay be difficult for an organisation that operates a telecommunicationsnetwork (an operator) to perform the transition between operating alower chip rate and a higher chip rate network.

The existing method to manage the transition between operating at alower chip rate and a higher chip rate is for the operator to fully rollout a lower chip rate network before rolling out a higher chip ratenetwork. If there are “islands” of higher chip rate coverage, thenetwork will be able to hand over (to the high chip rate network cells)users with equipment capable of operation at both the lower and higherchip rate who enter the “island”: this provides some element of backwardcompatibility between the low and high chip rate networks. During such atransition period, the network operator will provide some subscriberswith user equipment that is capable of operating at both the lower andthe higher chip rates. During this transition period, the operator willonly be able to use its lower chip rate network equipment to service themajority of users: only those (probably new) users that have beensupplied with user equipment capable of operating at the higher chiprate will be able to get service from the higher chip rate networkequipment.

However, a problem with the above-described existing method of managingthe transition between high and low chip rates is that there is a timeduring which the network operator is investing in higher chip rateequipment (presumably since the network operator believes that morenetwork capacity is required), but is unable to gain significant revenuefrom users on this equipment (only those users who have been suppliedwith dual mode low chip rate/high chip rate equipment will be able touse the newly installed high chip rate equipment). There is thus abuilt-in reluctance for the network operator to upgrade its network tohigher chip rate equipment. In this case, users may suffer from a poorerservice, network operators may suffer from either missed revenue thatcould be obtained from new and enhanced services at the higher chip rateor having to invest in network equipment from which little revenue isadditionally obtained, equipment providers may suffer from networkoperators being unwilling to invest in higher chip rate networkequipment until users have been upgraded to higher chip rate userequipment.

A further problem arises in the case where a network operates equipmentat a higher chip rate and users roam onto that network with lower chiprate equipment. If the user's equipment is incapable of operating at thehigher chip rate, the user will not receive service and the network willlose possible revenue that could have been derived from the roaminguser.

A need therefore exists for support of multiple chip rates wherein theabovementioned disadvantage(s) may be alleviated.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method, for supporting of plurality of chip rates in a codedivision multiple access (CDMA) system, as claimed in claim 1.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there isprovided a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, for supporting aplurality of chip rates, as claimed in claim 24.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there isprovided a base station, for use in a code division multiple access(CDMA) system supporting a plurality of chip rates, as claimed in claim47.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there isprovided user equipment, for use in a CDMA system supporting a pluralityof chip rates, as claimed in claim 69.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several schemes for support of multiple chip rates in a CDMA TDD cell,incorporating the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block schematic diagram illustrating a 3GPP radiocommunication system in which the present invention may be used;

FIG. 2 shows a block schematic diagram illustrating a possible timeslotstructure for a low chip rate system;

FIG. 3 shows a block schematic diagram illustrating a possible timeslotstructure for a high chip rate system;

FIG. 4 shows a block schematic diagram illustrating a possible timeslotstructure for a mixed chip rate system;

FIG. 5 shows a block schematic diagram illustrating a possible timeslotstructure for a mixed chip rate system with multiple switching points;

FIG. 6 shows a block schematic diagram illustrating a possible timeslotstructure for multi chip rate operation using a single low chip ratecarrier; and

FIG. 7 shows a block schematic diagram illustrating a possible timeslotstructure for multi chip rate operation using multiple low chip ratecarriers

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioningof some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative toother elements to help to improve understanding of various embodimentsof the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements thatare useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are oftennot depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of thesevarious embodiments of the present invention. It will further beappreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described ordepicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required. It will also be understood that the terms andexpressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as isaccorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in thetechnical field as set forth above except where different specificmeanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a typical, standard UMTS Radio AccessNetwork (UTRAN) system 100 is conveniently considered as comprising: aterminal/user equipment domain 110; a UMTS Terrestrial Radio AccessNetwork domain 120; and an infrastructure domain 130.

In the terminal/user equipment domain 110, terminal equipment (TE) 110Ais connected to mobile equipment (ME) 110B via the wired or wireless Rinterface. The ME 110B is also connected to a user service identitymodule (USIM) 110C; the ME 110B and the USIM 110C together areconsidered as a user equipment (UE) 110D. The UE 110D communicates datawith a Node B (base station) 120A in the radio access network domain(120) via the wireless Uu interface. Within the radio access networkdomain 120, the Node B 120A communicates with a radio network controller(RNC) 120B via the Iub interface. The RNC 120B communicates with otherRNC's (not shown) via the Iur interface. The Node B 120A and the RNC120B together form the UTRAN 120C. The RNC 120B communicates with aserving GPRS service node (SGSN) 130A in the core network domain 130 viathe Iu interface. Within the core network domain 130, the SGSN 130Acommunicates with a gateway GPRS support node 130B via the Gn interface;the SGSN 130A and the GGSN 130B communicate with a home locationregister (HLR) server 130C via the Gr interface and the Gc interfacerespectively. The GGSN 130B communicates with public data network 130Dvia the Gi interface.

Thus, the elements RNC 120B, SGSN 130A and GGSN 130B are conventionallyprovided as discrete and separate units (on their own respectivesoftware/hardware platforms) divided across the radio access networkdomain (120) and the core network domain (130), as shown the FIG. 1.

The RNC 120B is the UTRAN element responsible for the control andallocation of resources for numerous Node B's 120A; typically 50 to 100Node B's may be controlled by one RNC. The RNC also provides reliabledelivery of user traffic over the air interfaces. RNC's communicate witheach other (via the Iur interface) to support handover andmacrodiversity.

The SGSN 130A is the UMTS Core Network element responsible for SessionControl and interface to the HLR. The SGSN keeps track of the locationof an individual UE and performs security functions and access control.The SGSN is a large centralised controller for many RNCs.

The GGSN 130B is the UMTS Core Network element responsible forconcentrating and tunneling user data within the core packet network tothe ultimate destination (e.g., internet service provider—ISP).

Such a UTRAN system and its operation are described more fully in the3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project technical specificationdocuments 3GPP TS 25.401, 3GPP TS 23.060, and related documents,available from the 3GPP website at www.3gpp.org, and need not bedescribed herein in more detail.

Several embodiments of the present invention are described below,beginning with a main embodiment, which is a general example that isapplicable to the further described embodiments.

In the main embodiment of present invention, the system 100 is amultiple chip rate system employing a lower chip rate and a higher chiprate. As an example, assume that the chip rates are integer multiples of3.84 Mcps: the lower chip rate is 3.84 Mcps and the higher chip rate is7.68 Mcps. As is well known, communication on the wireless interface Uubetween UE 110D and Node B 120A occurs in a variety of predefinedchannels. The timeslot structure, for signalling on the wirelessinterface Uu between UE 110D and Node B 120A, for a lower chip ratesystem (assumed to be a chip rate of 3.84 Mcps in this example) could beassigned as shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, a single frame 200 is shown containing 15 timeslots. 5timeslots (the right-most 5 timeslots depicted in the figure) are shownas uplink timeslots (for data transmitted in the direction from the userequipment to the network) and 10 timeslots (the left-most 10 timeslotsdepicted in the figure) are shown in the downlink (for data transmittedin the direction from the network to the user equipment). One of thedownlink timeslots (the left-most timeslot depicted in the figure), inthis case labeled “3.84 beacon”, has a special purpose: it used tocontain “beacon” data for performing a beacon function (as is wellunderstood in a 3GPP system, and need not be described in furtherdetail). However, it will be understood that in general this timeslotneed not necessarily be used to perform a beacon function.

An example timeslot structure for a higher chip rate system (assumed tobe a chip rate of 7.68 Mcps in this example) could be assigned as shownin FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, a single frame 300 is shown containing 15 timeslots (it isassumed for the purposes of this example that the timeslot duration andframe duration of the high chip rate and low chip rate systems areidentical). 5 timeslots (the right-most 5 timeslots depicted in thefigure) are shown as uplink timeslots (for data transmitted in thedirection from the user equipment to the network) and 10 timeslots (theleft-most 10 timeslots depicted in the figure) are shown in the downlink(for data transmitted in the direction from the network to the userequipment). One of the downlink timeslots (the left-most timeslotdepicted in the figure), in this case labeled “7.68 beacon”, has aspecial purpose: it used to contain “beacon” data for performing abeacon function (as is well understood in a 3GPP system, and need not bedescribed in further detail). However, it will be understood that ingeneral this timeslot need not necessarily be used to perform a beaconfunction.

FIG. 4 shows a possible timeslot structure relating to the invention.This figure numbers the timeslots in increasing order. In a subsequentframe, the timeslot numbering would reset to zero for the first timeslotof that subsequent frame and the frame number would increment.

In the timeslot structure 400 shown in FIG. 4, 9 timeslots (timeslots0-8) are assigned to the lower chip rate (3.84 Mcps). 6 of thesetimeslots (timeslots 0-5) are downlink timeslots and 3 (timeslots 6-8)are uplink timeslots. One of the lower chip rate downlink timeslots(timeslot 0) is shown as a special purpose timeslot (in this case, it isreferred to as the “3.84 beacon” timeslot). In FIG. 4, 6 timeslots(timeslots 9-14) are assigned to the higher chip rate (7.68 Mcps). 4 ofthese timeslots (timeslots 9-12) are downlink and 2 (timeslots 13 and14) are uplink timeslots. One of the higher chip rate downlink timeslots(timeslot 9) is shown as a special purpose timeslot (in this case, it isreferred to as the “7.68 beacon” timeslot).

Considering the case when a UE that is only capable of operating at thelower chip rate roams into a network employing the timeslot structureshown in FIG. 4, this UE would search for the special purpose (“3.84beacon”) timeslot. When the UE finds the special purpose lower chip ratetimeslot, it will recognise the existence of the network cell (in thisexample, it is assumed that the network is a cellular system) and willcamp on that cell. The UE will signal to the network that it existsusing the lower chip rate in one of the timeslots 6-8. The network willrecognise that the UE is a low chip rate UE and will only assign itresources in timeslots 0-8 in the future (for instance, if it assignsthe UE a dedicated resource, it might assign it a single downlinkchannel in timeslot 5 once per frame and a single uplink channel intimeslot 8 once per frame—note that in a CDMA system, multiple channelsmay be supported per timeslot).

Now considering the case when a UE that is only capable of operating atthe higher chip rate roams into a network employing the timeslotstructure shown in FIG. 4, this UE would search for the special purpose(“7.68 beacon”) timeslot and would ignore the lower chip rate specialpurpose (“3.84 beacon”) timeslot. When the UE finds the special purposehigher chip rate timeslot, it will recognise the existence of thenetwork cell and will camp on that cell. The UE will signal to thenetwork that it exists using the higher chip rate in the timeslot 13 or14. The network will recognise that the UE is a high chip rate UE andwill only assign it resources in timeslots 9-14 in the future (forinstance, if it assigns the UE a dedicated resource, it might assign ita single downlink channel in timeslot 10 once per frame and a singleuplink channel in timeslot 14 once per frame—note that in a CDMA system,multiple channels may be supported per timeslot).

When a UE that is capable of operation at either the lower chip rate(3.84 Mcps in this example) or at the higher chip rate (7.68 Mcps inthis example) roams into a network employing the timeslot structure inshown in FIG. 4, there are several possible scenarios that can beconsidered (these are described as “Embodiment 1” and “Embodiment 2” inthe following description).

Embodiment 1

In a first scenario, the UE searches for the lower chip rate specialpurpose slot in preference to the higher chip rate special purpose slot.If the UE finds the lower chip rate special purpose slot, it will notifythe cell of its existence and camp on the cell at the lower chip rate.The UE will inform the network of its capability to operate at thehigher chip rate. The network may then decide to handover the UE to thehigher chip rate network function. In this case, the UE camps on thehigher chip rate in preference to the lower chip rate and the higherchip rate function in the network will allocate higher chip rateresource to the UE (from timeslots 9-14 in this example). In this firstscenario, the UE displays some inflexibility between operating at thetwo chip rates: the UE is capable of changing only slowly from one chiprate to another, thus the network performs handover of dual modeequipment between the two chip rate networks and the different chip ratenetworks essentially operate independently.

Embodiment 2

In a second scenario, the UE searches for the lower chip rate specialpurpose slot in preference to the higher chip rate special purpose slot.If the UE finds the lower chip rate special purpose slot, it will notifythe cell of its existence and camp on the cell at the lower chip rate.The UE will inform the network of its capability to operate at thehigher chip rate. The network may then allocate either lower chip rate(from timeslots 0-8 in this example) or higher chip rate resource (fromtimeslots 9-14 in this example) to the UE (a single allocation mighteven span the lower and higher chip rates such that a single allocationcontains both lower chip rate and higher chip rate resource, e.g.,timeslots 5, 8 and 9). In this second scenario, the UE is capable ofoperating at both the lower and higher chip rates and can change betweenchip rates either every timeslot or every frame. In this secondscenario, the lower chip rate and higher chip rate portions of thenetwork are able to operate together (this arrangement may provide morecapacity than when the higher and lower chip rate network functionsoperate independently due to trunking efficiency gains).

In this second scenario, the UE must be aware of the chip rates thatapply in the slots that it has been allocated. The UE could autonomouslydetect the chip rate in the slot. This could be done by known methodssuch as spectral (frequency) analysis of the received data, analysis andcomparison of the results of channel estimation, analysis of multi-userdetector output, etc.—for example, in the case of channel estimation,channel estimates could be produced at 3.84 Mcps and 7.68 Mcps and thenit could be assumed if the 3.84 Mcps channel estimate is better than the7.68 Mcps channel estimate that the slot is actually 3.84 Mcps.Alternatively, the UE could be told of the chip rate via higher layersignalling in an allocation message or could be told of the chip ratevia broadcast higher layer signalling.

Clearly, in the above two scenarios, the UE could alternatively searchfor the higher chip rate special purpose slot in preference to the lowerchip rate and the functionality in this case will be clear to thoseskilled in the art from the preceding description.

Embodiment 3

Whereas Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 described above in relation toFIG. 4 showed a slot structure with a single switching point between thelower chip rate system and the higher chip rate system (in the sensethat the lower chip rate system occupied the low indexed timeslots andthe high chip rate system occupied the high indexed timeslots), it willbe appreciated that there may in fact be multiple switching pointsbetween low chip rate and high chip rate systems. A slot structure(“Embodiment 3”) with multiple switching points is illustrated in FIG.5.

The timeslot structure of Embodiment 3 might be used for a variety ofreasons. In particular, in the case of a UMTS TDD system, the timeslotstructure 500 of FIG. 5 might be used to allow for “synchronisation case2”, which uses beacon slots per frame, one of the beacon slots beingslot k, and the other being slot in k+8. As will be understood,“synchronisation case 2” can facilitate inter-frequency and inter-systemmeasurements (the UE can decode the beacon in the current frequency andthen 8 slots later, it can look at the beacon on another frequency); itmay also aid power control.

The example of FIG. 5 illustrates aspects of the operation of theinvention in the time domain. Aspects of the operation of the inventionin the frequency domain are now considered. The following exampleembodiments relate to the example embodiments and main embodiment of theinvention described previously.

For the following example, assume that the bandwidth required to supportthe lower chip rate system is W_(low) (for a 3.84 Mcps system, W_(low)is typically 5 MHz) and the bandwidth required to support the high chiprate system is W_(high) (for a 7.68 Mcps system, W_(high) is typically10 MHz). There are several scenarios for the operation of the lower chiprate timeslots in the frequency domain (these are described as“Embodiment 4” and “Embodiment 5” in the following description). In eachof the scenarios, it is assumed that the network operates within aspectral allocation of W_(high) (for example, if the network supportsoperation at both 3.84 Mcps and 7.68 Mcps, then the spectral allocationfor the network as a whole will be the bandwidth required to support achip rate of 7.68 Mcps which is typically 10 MHz).

Embodiment 4

Referring now to FIG. 6, in a first frequency domain scenario, atimeslot frame structure 600 is employed and the network operates asingle 3.84 Mcps network function in the lower chip rate timeslots(timeslots 0-8) and a single 7.68 Mcps network function in the higherchip rate timeslots (timeslots 9-14). In the lower chip rate timeslots(timeslots 0-8), the spectrum of the 3.84 Mcps network function sitscentrally in the spectrum allocation of the network as a whole (asillustrated by the waveforms depicted in the lower chip rate timeslots0-8 in FIG. 6). In this case, the carrier frequency of the 3.84 Mcpsnetwork function is the same as the carrier frequency of the 7.68 Mcpsnetwork function. This arrangement may be advantageous when dual modeUEs can receive allocations at the two chip rates within the same frame.The main benefit of this single low chip rate system in the low chiprate timeslots may be that Embodiments 1 and 2 fit more easily into thiscase. Conversely, when there are multiple lower chip rate systems,synthesisers (and other RF components) may need to be continuallyre-tuned if allocations span the two chip rates. This Embodiment 4 maybe used with Embodiments 1 and 2 described above.

Embodiment 5

Referring now to FIG. 7, in a second frequency domain scenario, atimeslot frame structure 700 is employed and the network operates twoseparate 3.84 Mcps network functions in the lower chip rate timeslots(timeslots 0-8) and a single 7.68 Mcps network function in the higherchip rate timeslots (timeslots 9-14). In the lower chip rate timeslots,two separate 3.84 Mcps network functions (710 and 720) coexist at thesame time but are separated in frequency. As can be seen in FIG. 7, thewaveforms depicted in the lower chip rate timeslots 0-8 in function 710are centred on a higher frequency, and the waveforms depicted in thelower chip rate timeslots 0-8 in function 720 are centred on a lowerfrequency offset from the higher frequency in function 710. In thisscenario, the network has approximately twice the capacity at the lowerchip rate than in the scenario described above (Embodiment 3). In thisscenario the network can transfer users by handover operations betweenlow chip rate carriers or between a low chip rate carrier and the highchip rate carrier and vice versa (according to the capabilities of theUE). This Embodiment 5 can be used with Embodiments 1 and 2 describedabove, though in the case of Embodiment 2 the UE will need to beinformed of carrier frequencies and offsets of the one chip rate systemrelative to the other chip rate system (for example, if the UE isallocated timeslots 5, 8 and 9, the network will need to inform the UEof the carrier frequency of the higher chip rate system relative to thecarrier frequency of the lower chip rate system).

It will be understood that the number of timeslots allocated to aparticular chip rate may be fixed (as described above) or may bedynamically varied from frame to frame. The time slot allocations may besignalled to the UE via broadcast signalling (e.g., in systeminformation blocks), via point to point signalling (e.g., defining thetimeslot parameters for a single or a multiplicity of allocations). Thepoint to point signalling may be carried in radio resource control (RRC)messages, medium access control (MAC) messages (e.g., applied to HighSpeed Downlink Packet Access—HSDPA) or physical layer messages (similarto TFCI signalling).

Alternatively, the UE may autonomously determine the chip rate appliedin a timeslot.

It will be further understood that each chip rate system may actindependently of the other chip rate system (to the extent that any onechip rate would still function if the other chip rates were switched offin the frame: each chip rate is essentially controlled independently ofthe other chip rates), or one of the chip rates may operatecollaboratively with another chip rate (the chip rates are controlled bya common controlling entity).

It will be further understood that although in Embodiment describedabove in relation to FIG. 7 two instantiations of lower chip ratefunctions are supported at different frequencies, the number of lowerchip rate functions may be proportional the ratio of the bandwidth ofthe higher chip rate system to the bandwidth of the lower chip ratesystem.

It will be appreciated that the method for supporting a plurality ofchip rates in a CDMA system described above may be carried out insoftware running on a processor (not shown) in a Node B or UE, and thatthe software may be provided as a computer program element carried onany suitable data carrier (also not shown) such as a magnetic or opticalcomputer disc.

It will be also be appreciated that the method for supporting aplurality of chip rates in a code division multiple access (CDMA) systemdescribed above may alternatively be carried out in hardware, forexample in the form of an integrated circuit (not shown) such as an FPGA(Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific IntegratedCircuit) in the Node B or UE.

It will further be understood that although the preferred embodimentshave been described above in the context of a UTRA TDD wireless system,the invention may be generally applied to any CDMA system supporting twoor more chip rates.

It will be understood that the scheme for support of different chiprates described above provides the following advantages:

provides backwards compatibility of a network including higher chip ratefunctionality with existing lower chip rate user equipment.

allows greater network capacity during the transition phase from a lowchip rate network to a high chip rate network.

allows a network operator with a high chip rate network to provideservice to roaming users from low chip rate networks.

1. A method for supporting communication between a base station and aplurality of user equipment sharing a plurality of timeslots in acommunication frame and operable over a plurality of bandwidths, themethod comprising: allocating a user equipment at least a first one of aplurality of timeslots in a communication frame using a first bandwidthof the plurality of bandwidths and allocating the user equipment atleast a second one of a plurality of timeslots in a communication frameusing a second bandwidth of the plurality of bandwidths.
 2. The methodof claim 1 wherein the method is further characterized by allocating aspecial timeslot for use in the first and second bandwidth.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the first bandwidth is an integer multiple ofthe second bandwidth.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the communicationframe comprises beacon data in at least one of the plurality oftimeslots.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein use of the first and secondbandwidths of the plurality of bandwidths are controlled independentlyof each other.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and secondbandwidths of the plurality of bandwidths are commonly controlled. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein the method comprises transmitting aplurality of instantiations of the at least a first one of the pluralityof timeslots in the communication frame using the first bandwidth. 8.The method of claim 7 wherein the plurality of instantiations areseparated in the frequency domain.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein anumber of the plurality of instantiations is proportional to a ratio ofthe second bandwidth to the first bandwidth.
 10. The method of claim 1wherein the method further comprises transmitting to the user equipmentparameters of timeslots via broadcast signaling.
 11. The method of claim10 wherein transmitting to the user equipment parameters of timeslotscomprises transmitting signals broadcast in system information blocks.12. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprisestransmitting to the user equipment parameters of timeslots via point topoint signalling.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the point to pointsignaling comprises at least one from a group consisting of: definingtimeslot parameters for a single allocation; defining timeslotparameters for a multiplicity of allocations; a message carried in aradio resource control (RRC) message; a message carried in a mediumaccess control (MAC) message; and a message carried in a physical layermessage.
 14. A base station supporting communication with a plurality ofuser equipment sharing a plurality of timeslots in a communication frameand operable over a plurality of bandwidths, the base stationcomprising: an allocation unit configured to allocate a user equipmentat least a first one of a plurality of timeslots in a communicationframe using a first bandwidth of the plurality of bandwidths andallocate the user equipment at least a second one of a plurality oftimeslots in a communication frame using a second bandwidth of theplurality of bandwidths.
 15. User equipment for sharing a plurality oftimeslots in a communication frame and operable over a plurality ofbandwidths, the user equipment comprising: a receiver for receiving asignal from a base station directing the user equipment to use on a pertimeslot or per communication frame basis at least a first one of theplurality of timeslots in a first bandwidth of the plurality ofbandwidths and at least a second one of a plurality of timeslots in acommunication frame in a second bandwidth of the plurality ofbandwidths.
 16. The user equipment of claim 15, further comprising: atransmitter for transmitting an indication signal to the base stationindicating that the user equipment is able to operate using the secondbandwidth of the plurality of bandwidths.
 17. The user equipment ofclaim 16, wherein the indication signal indicates that the userequipment is able to operate using both the first bandwidth of theplurality of bandwidths and the second bandwidth of the plurality ofbandwidths.
 18. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein the receiver isarranged to receive in the same communication frame the time slots in afirst bandwidth and the timeslots in a second bandwidth.
 19. The userequipment of claim 16, wherein the receiver is arranged to receive inthe same communication frame the time slots in a first bandwidth and thetimeslots in a second bandwidth.
 20. A method for receivingcommunications sharing a plurality of timeslots in a communication frameand operable over a plurality of bandwidths, the method comprising, at auser equipment: receiving a signal from a base station directing theuser equipment to use on a per timeslot or per communication frame basisat lest a first one of the plurality of timeslots in a first bandwidthof the plurality of bandwidths and at lest a second one of a pluralityof timeslots in a communication frame in a second bandwidth of theplurality of bandwidths.
 21. A non-transitory computer readablerecording medium having a computer program stored thereon, said computerprogram when executed performing the method of claim
 1. 22. Anon-transitory computer readable recording medium having a computerprogram stored thereon, said computer program when executed performingthe method of claim
 20. 23. An integrated circuit for a base stationsupporting communication with a plurality of user equipment sharing aplurality of timeslots in a communication frame and operable over aplurality of bandwidths, the integrated circuit comprising: anallocation unit operable to allocate a user equipment at least a firstone of a plurality of timeslots in a communication frame using a firstbandwidth of the plurality of bandwidths and allocate the user equipmentat least a second one of a plurality of timeslots in a communicationframe using a second bandwidth of the plurality of bandwidths.
 24. Anintegrated circuit for a user equipment for sharing a plurality oftimeslots in a communication frame and operable over a plurality ofbandwidths, the integrated circuit comprising: a receiver for receivinga signal from a base station directing the user equipment to use on aper timeslot or per communication frame basis at least a first one ofthe plurality of timeslots in a first bandwidth of the plurality ofbandwidths and at least a second one of a plurality of timeslots in acommunication frame in a second bandwidth of the plurality ofbandwidths.